Hack the Plant
Bryson Bort
Electricity. Finance. Transportation. Our water supply. In Hack the Plant, podcast host Bryson Bort looks for answers to the question: Does connecting these systems, and others, to the internet leaves us more vulnerable to attacks by our enemies? We often take these critical infrastructure systems for granted, but they’re all becoming increasingly dependent on the internet to function. From the ransomware threats of Colonial Pipeline to the failure of the Texas power grid, it is clear our interconnectivity is also a significant source of risk. Hack the Plant walks through the world of hackers working on the front lines of cyber security and public safety to protect the systems you rely upon every day.
Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology.
ICS Village is a nonprofit that equips industry experts and policymakers with the tools to better defend our critical infrastructure. We educate people on critical infrastructure security with hands-on examples, not just nerd stuff. Catch us at an event near you! www.icsvillage.com.
The Institute for Security and Technology is a nonprofit think tank with the mission to bridge gaps between technology and policy leaders to help solve these emerging security problems together. Learn more at securityandtechnology.org.
Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology.
ICS Village is a nonprofit that equips industry experts and policymakers with the tools to better defend our critical infrastructure. We educate people on critical infrastructure security with hands-on examples, not just nerd stuff. Catch us at an event near you! www.icsvillage.com.
The Institute for Security and Technology is a nonprofit think tank with the mission to bridge gaps between technology and policy leaders to help solve these emerging security problems together. Learn more at securityandtechnology.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 1, 2020 • 37min
BEER and Cyber
Patrick Miller sits at the intersection of cybersecurity and regulation because, as he likes to say, "those two don't fit well." Beyond his decades of work in the space, he also co-founded BEER-ISAC, a network of individuals who comprise the human component of critical infrastructure security. They share war stories, information, intelligence and - as the name says - drinks. In this episode, Patrick explains the difference between compliance and security in the evolving space defending critical infrastructure.
Oct 26, 2020 • 43min
Oil, Gas and Cybersecurity in the Middle East
"Securing and having the right measures of cybersecurity relates to the national security of the whole country and our national income." Reem Al-Shammari is the chief information security officer for the Kuwait Oil Company. She sits at the intersection of a massive swath of her country's economy - oil and gas - and the need to secure it against emerging threats faster than government regulations can be established. Because Al-Shammari works within a global industry, she also has to help ensure cross-border information sharing frameworks and practices for the six Gulf countries to stay one step ahead of bad actors.
Oct 19, 2020 • 34min
The Nightmare: A Story by AI
The second half of our interview with author and strategist P.W. Singer. He discusses his latest book - Burn In - where he translates real-world research about Artificial Intelligence into a glimpse at a future we’re not too far away from if things go wrong and we do not protect ourselves."In our lifetime for the next year 10 or 20 years, artificial intelligence is not about a rebellion of the robots (a-la the Terminator). It's industrial revolution. It's a rewiring of business, military, the economy, our society with AI and automation in all its various forms...In these scenarios, AI is not just about prediction, it's also about influence."
Sep 28, 2020 • 49min
Where is the Cavalry?
Hackers may be our best, last hope as our dependence on connected technology is increasing faster than our ability to safeguard ourselves. This episode you will learn about I Am the Cavalry - a volunteer organization of cybersecurity experts devoted to improving the security of medical devices, transportation, connected homes, and infrastructure - and its co-founder, Joshua Corman, who serves as an ambassador between the security community and federal officials protecting us on the front lines.
Aug 31, 2020 • 39min
The Future of War with P.W. Singer
“Our dependence on connected technology is growing faster than our ability to secure it, especially in areas affecting public safety and human life.” Author and strategist P.W. Singer examines the future of war, and explains the difficulty in securing critical infrastructure against cyber attacks and technologies that are cheaper and easier for foreign and non-state actors to acquire. He also discusses how he uses the "technothriller" novel type to communicate his nonfiction research to more audiences.---Learn more about the R Street Institute at www.rstreet.org and follow them on Twitter @RSI. Learn more about ICS Village at www.icsvillage.com and follow them on Twitter @ICS_Village. Learn more about P.W. Singer at www.pwsinger.com and follow him on Twitter @peterwsinger. He is strategist and senior fellow at New America and the author of several books including Ghost Fleet, Burn-in, LikeWar, Wired for War, Corporate Warriors, and others.
Aug 22, 2020 • 2min
Trailer - Hack the Plant
Learn more about ICS village at http://www.icsvillage.com. Learn more about the R Street Institute at http://www.rstreet.org. Follow Bryson Bort on Twitter @BrysonBort. Follow the R Street Institute on Twitter @RSI.
